Five Chilliwackians will compete in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2020 B.C. Winter Games in Fort St. John.
Emilie Hendley (12 years old), Addisyn Heiligers (12), Mariella Owen (12), Matthew Tremblay (12) and Zoe Mcconochie (10) have been named to the Fraser Valley (zone three) team.
All five are members of Chilliwack’s Fraser Valley Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Participating at the B.C. Games is considered to be the first major event on the pathway to becoming a high performance athlete.
“It’s a dream come true,” says Heiligers. “I get to travel, compete, and hang out with my friends for four full days. This is going to be so fun!”
Tremblay is the first male rhythmic gymnastics competitor at the B.C. Games, and has been the first male rhythmic gymnastics competitor in the province.
The team will be supported by head coach, Mimi Pan, and assistant coach Alysha Petersen, who is an alumni of the 2006 BC Games.
“I’m so proud of this team,” says Pan, who coaches at Fraser Valley Rhythmic Gymnastics three days a week. “They are so supportive of each other, celebrating each others’ successes, and helping each other through challenges. Watching their friendships grow so strong has clearly contributed to their development as athletes and as gymnasts.”
The 2020 B.C. Winter Games take place February 20-23.